Accra: The European Union (EU) has donated 150,000 fully vaccinated poultry together with feed and essential veterinary medication to 3,000 farmers in six districts in the Savannah, Upper East and North East Regions. Each beneficiary farmer received 50 birds.
According to Ghana News Agency, this intervention formed part of the EU-funded EU Food Security Response in Northern Ghana Project, which is being implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA). The intervention, which aligns with the government's Feed Ghana Programme, targeted the country's poultry sector to reduce import dependency, improve food and nutrition security, create jobs, and enhance household income, especially for rural communities.
Mr Eric Opoku, Minister for Food and Agriculture, speaking during the distribution of the birds to beneficiary farmers at Gbung in the North East Gonja District, emphasized that the intervention was part of efforts under the Feed Ghana Programme to bolster the poultry sub-sector and decrease the country's reliance on imported chickens. He highlighted that the intervention would help increase local production, create jobs, and improve the livelihoods of beneficiary farmers.
Mr Opoku noted that each selected farmer received 50 birds, which had been raised for about 14 weeks, fully vaccinated, and ready for production, with the birds expected to start producing eggs within a month. He urged beneficiaries to view the support as an investment and utilize it effectively to enhance their economic conditions.
Mr Opoku also discussed the Feed Ghana Programme's impact, stating that one year after its implementation, farmers had recorded increased production, with maize and other grains widely available across the country. This increased supply had led to a significant drop in maize prices, falling from about GHc1,600 to as low as GHc250.
Ms Silvia Severi, EU Head of Cooperation, explained that the intervention extended beyond poultry distribution to creating jobs, improving nutrition, and strengthening Ghana's food sovereignty. She mentioned that the EU was collaborating with the government and partners to reduce dependence on imported poultry, improve farmers' incomes, and support job creation across the agricultural value chain.
She added that the farmers also benefited from training in improved agricultural practices, seed production, savings and loans, and post-harvest management. Ms Priya Gujadhur, FAO Country Representative, expressed appreciation to the EU for the support and commended the collaboration with MoFA, regional and district agricultural departments, farmer organizations, and implementing partners.
She advised beneficiary farmers to optimize the opportunity by properly caring for the birds and adhering to recommended husbandry practices, including proper housing, feeding, and biosecurity measures. She urged district departments of agriculture to intensify supervision and provide continuous technical support to sustain the gains made under the project.
Madam Bawa Damata, a person with disability and a beneficiary, expressed gratitude to the partners for the support, which would enable her to engage more actively in farming and improve her household food supply. She mentioned that training in agronomic practices, village savings and loans association, and animal husbandry had enhanced her skills in farming and small business management.
The EU team visited five beneficiaries at Gbung, where they inspected poultry facilities under the intervention and interacted with farmers supported by the project. The team observed the condition of the birds and structures provided while extension officers demonstrated proper feeding, housing, and biosecurity practices to ensure the health and productivity of the poultry.